Apparatus for forming mold material



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APPARATUS FOR FORMING MOLD MATERIAL Filed Jan. 6, 1966 ll Sheets-Sheetll n N "7" I @o an INVENTOR. JESSE C. MOORE United States Patent 4O3,483,690 APPARATUS FOR FORMING MOLD IVIATERIAL .Iesse C. Moore, FortRecovery, Ohio, assignor of fortynine percent to Norman H. Kuhlman, St.Marys, Ohio Filed Jan. 6, 1966, Ser. No. 519,179 Int. Cl. B281 1/04 US.Cl. 25-30 4 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for automatichigh speed seriatim production of bodies of molded material. Feedermeans discharge mold material into one or more cavity members whilepacker means operate upon the mold material within the cavity members.Means are provided to move the cavity members to a discharge positionafter mold material has been formed therein. Ejector means operate tourge the molded material from the cavity members as other cavity membersare receiving mold material and while the packer means are moving withrespect to the cavity members which are receiving mold material, Themolded material is discharged by the ejector means upon receiver means.The receiver means are moved to a position adjacent the mold cavitymembers as molded material begins to move from the mold cavity members.The receiver means and the ejector means then move together as moldedmaterial is moved by the ejector means from the mold cavity members.Items of the molded material are automatically arranged in closelyspaced seriatim relationship upon the receiver means for movement fromthe apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION An Object of this invention is to provideautomatically operating apparatus for the production of tubular memberssuch as tile or concrete members or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide such apparatus which iscapable of operation at a relatively high rate.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of theinvention, combinations thereof, the method of manufacture, and the modeof operation, as will become more apparent from the followingdescription.

IN THE DRAVINGS FIGURE 1 is an elevational view, somewhat diagrammatic,of a portion of the apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, drawn on a larger scale thanFIGURE 1, showing material transfer means and cylinder forming means ofthis invention.

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view, similar to FIGURE 1, but showingelements of the apparatus in another position of operation.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view, similar to FIGURE 2, but showing elementsof the apparatus in another position of operation.

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view, similar to FIG- URES 1 and 3, butshowing elements of the apparatus in another position of operation.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view, similar to FIGURES 2 and 4, but showingelements of the apparatus in another position of operation.

3,483,690 Patented Dec. 16, 1969 ice FIGURE 7 is an elevational view,similar to FIGURES l, 3, and 5, but showing elements of the apparatus inanother position of operation.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view, similar to FIGURES 2, 4, and 6, butshowing elements of the apparatus in another position of operation.

FIGURE 9 is an elevational view, similar to FIGURES l, 3, 5, and 7, butshowing elements of the apparatus in another position of operation.

FIGURE l0 is a sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of FIGURES2, 4, 6, and 8 and showing elements thereof in another position ofoperation.

FIGURE l1 is a sectional View taken substantially on line 11-11 ofFIGURE 8.

FIGURE l2 is an elevational view, similar Ito FIGURES 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9,but showing elements of the apparatus in another position of operation.

FIGURE 13 is a sectional view, similar to FIGURES 2, 3, 6, and 8, butshowing elements of the apparatus in another position of operation.

FIGURE 14 is a side elevational view, with parts shown in seciton, drawnon substantially the same scale as FIGURES 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 12 showingcarrier transfer means of this invention.

FIGURE 15 a side elevational view, with parts shown in section, of aportion of the apparatus of FIGURE 14 but showing elements thereof inanother position of operation.

FIGURE 16 is a side elevational view, similar to FIG- URE 15, butshowing elements thereof in another position of operation.

FIGURE 17 is a side elevational view, similar to FIG- URES 15 and 16 butshowing elements thereof in lanother position of operation.

FIGURE 1S is a side elevational view, similar to FIG- URES 15, 16, and17, but showing elements of the apparatus in another position ofoperation.

FIGURE 19 is a side elevational view, similar to FIG- URES 15, 16, 17,and 18, but showing elements of the apparatus in another position ofoperation.

FIGURE 20 is a side elevational view of a portion of `the apparatus ofFIGURE 14 but showing elements of the apparatus in another position ofoperation.

FIGURE 21 is a side elevational view similar to FIG- URE 14 andincluding a portion of the apparatus thereof, but showing elements ofthe apparatus in another position of operation.

FIGURE 22 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing aportion of the carrier dispenser mechanism of this invention, as shownin FIGURE 14.

FIGURE 23 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to FIGURE 22, butshowing the elements thereof in another position of operation.

FIGURE 24 is a fragmentary sectionl view, similar to FIGURES 22 and 23,but showing the elements thereof in another position of operation.

FIGURE 25 is a perspective view, drawn on substantially the same scaleas FIGURE 14, shown lift mechanism of this invention.

FIGURE 26 is a perspective view, drawn on a slightly larger scale thanFIGURE 25, of carrier dispenser mechanism of this invention.

FIGURE 27 is a perspective view, drawn on substantially the same scaleas FIGURE 25, and showing the combination of the lift mechanism and thecarrier dispenser mechanism of this invention.

FIGURE 28 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of theapparatus shown in FIGURE 27 and drawn on substantially the same scaleas FIGURE 27.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the apparatus of this inventioncomprises support frame structure 30 which carries a base 32 whichsupports a bottom wall 34. A recess 36 is provided in the bottom wall 34and in the base 32, as shown in FIGURES 4, 6, 8, and l0. Movablysupported upon the bottom wall 34 are a plurality of mold cavity members38. Herein three mold cavity members 38a are shown in FIGURES l, 3, and5, in engagement with the bottom wall 34 and coaxial with the recess 36.

Movably disposed above the mold cavity members 38 are a plurality offiller tubes 44, there being one filler tube 44 for each of the moldcavity members 38. Each filler tube 44 has a bottom wall 46 which isprovided with a hole 48 therethrough, as shown in FIGURE 2. Each fillertube 44 has a longitudinally extending opening 50 in the side thereof.Partially disposed within the opening 50 is a feeder floor 52.

An endless conveyor chain 56 having a plurality of transversespaced-apart cross members 58 is disposed above the feeder floor 52. Adrive sprocket wheel 60 engages the conveyor chain 56 and is rotated byany suitable drive motor 62 which is operably joined thereto through ashaft 63 or the like. An idler sprocket wheel 64 is also known inengagement with the conveyor chain 56. The upper part of the chain 56slidably moves over a shelf 66 which is disposed a slight distance belowa hopper '70.

Extending into each of the filler tubes 44 is a shaft 72 having severalconvolutions of a screw blade 74 carried thereby. At the lower end ofeach shaft 72 is a plunger or packer 76 provided with ears 78 at theupper portion thereof. The shafts 72 are rotatably carried by a brace 80and a brace 82. Each shaft 72 has a drive wheel 84 attached thereto. Abelt 86 or the like encompasses the drive wheel 84 in drivingrelationship therewith. Each belt 86 also encompasses a drive wheel 88which is attached to a drive shaft 90, which is rotatably carried by thebraces 80 and 82. The drive shaft 90 has a drive wheel 92 attachedthereto for rotation thereof. A belt 94 or the like encompasses thedrive wheel 92 and also encompasses a wheel 96 which is driven by anysuitable motor 98.

The braces 80 and 82 are attached to tubular guide members 100, each ofwhich slidably encompasses a guide rod 102. At least one of the guiderods 102 is carried directly by the support structure 30. At the upperend of the guide rods 102 and attached thereto is a cross member 104.The brace 82 is attached to a plurality of axially movable actuator rods106. Each actuator rod 106 is a part of a uid motor 108 and is operablethereby. A fluid conductor member 109 is connected to each liuid motor108 for energization thereof for axial movement of the actuator rod 106thereof.

The ends of the brace 80 slidably encompass hoist rods 110 which arecarried by a cross member 112 and extend upwardly therefrom. The crossmember 112 is attached to sleeves 114, each of which slidablyencompasses one of the guide rods 102. A nut 116 is attached to eachhoist rod 110 at the upper end thereof so that when the nuts 116 restupon the brace 80 the rods 110 are supported thereby.

A bracket 120 is secured to the cross member 112. The bracket 120 isattached to the ller tubes 44 for support thereof. The bracket 120 isalso attached to a connector bracket 121 which has a plurality ofdownwardly extending connectors 112, each of which rotatably supports alift wheel 123. The connector bracket 121 is attached to the crossmember 112. The lift wheels 123 are positioned on opposite portions of acarriage post .4 124. The carriage post 124 has attached thereto a pairof bracket arms 127 extending in opposite directions therefrom. Each ofthe bracket arms 127 supports a plurality of the mold cavity members 38.Herein the mold cavity members 38a are shown attached to one of thebracket arms 127 and a group of mold cavity members 3813 are carried bythe other bracket arm 127.

A sprocket wheel 135 is attached to the carriage post 124 for rotationthereof. A chain 137 engages the sprocket wheel 135 for drivingrelationship thereto. A torque motor 119 or the like7 shown in FIGURE28, connected to the chain 13'7, continuously urges movement thereof forrotation of the carriage post 124. The carriage post 124 is rotatableabout the guide rod 102 upon which it is supported. The lower end of theguide rod 102 which supports the carriage post 124 is secured to abracket 141 which is carried by the base 32.

The carriage post 124 also has an encompassing ring 143 secured theretowhich is enagageable by the lift wheels 123 for lifting of the carriagepost 124.

Attached to one of the tubular guide members 100 are a plurality ofsupport members 125 to which is secured a carrier sleeve 126. Thecarrier sleeve 126 encompasses a vertically disposed guide rod 128. The'lower end of the guide rod 128 is attached to a bottom cross member 129.A brace 130 joins the upper portion of the guide rod 128 to the bottomcross member 129.

The bottom cross member 129 also has attached thereto a verticallyextending post 131. The post 131 has a rack 133 attached thereto at theupper end thereof. Attached to one of the support members 125 and to thecarrier sleeve 126 by means of connectors 132 are a plurality of rigidstems 134, each of which has secured thereto an ejector 136.

The support frame structure 30 also has a pair or' spaced-apart posts138 attached thereto. Each post 138 has attached thereto an L-shapedbracket 139, as shown in FIGURE 27. A tubular guide member 142 is alsoattached to each post 138 and a tubular guide member 142 is attached toeach bracket 139. A vertically disposed lift rod 144 is slidably axiallymovable within each of the tubular guide members 142. The lower end ofeach lift rod 144 is attached to a rigid strip 146. As best shown inFIGURE 27, an elongate bedplate' 148 extends between two guide member142 and is attached thereto. Thus, the bedplates 148, the guide members142, the brackets 139. and the post 138 are all integrally attachedtogether to provide a bed which is attached to the support structure 30,as shown in FIGURES 25 and 27. Attached to one of the be'dplates 148 isa lug 149 which slidably encompasses the rod 128 for guiding axialmovement thereof.

At the upper end of each rod 144 is attached a crossbracket 150, therebeing a cross-bracket attached to a pair of the rods 144 at each end ofthe be'dplates 148, as shown in FIGURE 25. Resting upon thecrossbrackets 150 are a pair of I.shaped channel members 154, as shownin FIGURE 27. Attached to one of the channels 154 is an extension lug155 which extends therefrom and which is secured to the guide rod 123.

At each end of the elongate channel members 154 is a rotary shaft 156which is journalled in the channels 154. Adjacent each of the channels154 and attached to the shafts 156 is a sprocket wheel 158. Along eachof the channels 154 is an endless conveyor chain 16) which is carried bythe sprocket wheels 158.

The conveyor chain 160 is adapted to carry one or more carrier membersor pallets 161. Each pallet 161 has feet 163 adjacent the ends thereof.

As shown at the right hand portion of FIGURE 27, the shaft 156 extendsthrough one of the channels 154 and has attached thereto a drive wheel162. The drive wheel 162 is connected to a conveyor drive motor 164 bymeans of a drive chain 166 which has a drive wheel 168. The conveyordrive motor 164 is attached to the adjacent channel 154 for supportthereby.

Attached to the bedplates 148 and extending therebelow are brackets 170,shown in FIGURE 27, which are adjacent the lift rods 144. As best shownin FIGURE 25, a shaft 172 is rotatably carried by the brackets 170adjacent one pair of rods 144 and a shaft 172 is rotatably carried bythe brackets 170 adjacent the opposite pair of lift rods 144.Intermediate the shafts 172 and substantially parallel therewith is anintermediate shaft 174.

Each of the shafts 172 has attached thereto for rotation about the axisthereof an inner pair of sprocket wheels 176 and an outer pair ofsprocket wheels 178. The shaft 174 has attached thereto for rotationtherewith an inner pair of sprocket wheels 180 and an outer pair ofsprocket wheels 182. A lift chain 184 partially encom passes each of thesprocket wheels 180 and 182. A part of each lift chain 184 etxends overan outer sprocket wheel 178 of one of the shafts 172 and it attached tothe rigid strip 146 adjacent the lower end of a pair of the lift rods144, as shown in FIGURES and 27. A part of each lift chain 184 exte'ndsunder an inner sprocket wheel 176 of one of the shafts 172 and isattached to a cross-bracket 150 adjacent the upper end of the lift rods144. As stated above, each pair of the lift rods 144 is attached at thelower ends thereof to a rigid strip 146 and the upper end of each liftrod 144 is attached to a cross-bracket 150. Thus, each pair of the liftrods 144, the cross-bracket 150, and the rigid strip 146 form a liftframe 187 at spaced apart portions of the' support structure 30, asshown in FIGURES 25 and 27. Thus, One end of each lift chain 184 isattached to the lower part of the lift frame 187 and one end of eachlift chain 184 is attached to the upper part of the lift frame 187.

One pair of lift chains 184 has a connector bar 186 attached thereto andextending therebetween. A fluid motor 188 is attached to the bedplates148 by brackets 189 shown in FIGURES 14 and 20. The fluid motor 188 hasan actuator rod 190 attached to the connector bar 186.

As best shown in FIGURE 27, at the left hand portion thereof, a carrierdispenser or pallet dispenser 194 is carried by the channels 154. Thepallet dispenser 194 cornprises a plurality of legs 196 which areattached to the channels 154 and extend thereabove. A cross-member 198disposed below the channels 154, joins a pair of the legs 196 togetherat each end of the pallet dispenser 194. Two of the legs 196 rise higherthan the other legs 196 and have attached thereto at the upper endsthereof a snpport bar 200. A fluid motor 202 is attached to the sup portbar 200 for support thereby. The fluid motor 202 has an actuator rod203. A support bar 206 joins two of the legs 196 and a support bar 208joins the other pair of the legs 196.

Attached to the support bar 206 are support bearings 210 which rotatablysupport a shaft 212, as shown in FIGURE 26. Attached to the shaft 212and extending downwardly therefrom are arms 214. The lower end of eacharm 214 has a finger 216 which is substantially normal thereto, as shownin FIGURES 26 and 27. Attached to the arms 214 is a transverse link 218.The link 218 extends beyond the arms 214 and has connected thereto ateach end thereof a link 220. The links 226 are outside the confines ofthe legs 196 and extend to positions beyond the opposite pair of legs196. The links 220 have a link 222 attached thereto at the ends thereofopposite the arms 214. The link 222 has a plurality of fingers 224attached thereto, as shown in FIGURE 26. The links 218, 220, and 222form a frame which encompasses the legs 196.

The support bar 208 has attached thereto support bearings 226 whichrotatably carry a shaft 228, as shown in FIGURE 27. A plurality of arms230 are secured to the shaft 228 and extend downwardly therefrom. Eachof the arms 230 has a finger 231 attached thereto at the lower endthereof, as shown in FIGURE 26. The arms 230 have a link 232 securedthereto. A link 234 is secured to the link 232 at each end thereof. Alink 236 is attached to the ends of the links 234 so that the links 232,234, and 236 form a frame which encompasses the legs 196. A plurality offingers 238 are attached to the link 236.

A lever 242 is attached to the shaft 212 for rotative movement thereof.The lever 242 is also pivotally attached to the actuator rod 203 of thefluid motor 202 for actuation thereby. A lever 244 is attached to theshaft 228 for rotation thereof. The lever 244 is also pivotally attachedto the actuator rod 203 of the fluid motor 202 for actuation thereby.

OPERATION The apparatus of this invention is employed for forming moldmaterial into any of various sizes and shapes. However, the invention isprimarily related to the formation of tubular members. The tubularmembers produced may have any desired exterior shape. Herein theapparatus of the invention is shown as being used for the production ofhollow cylindrical members.

Suitable material 250 for producing hollow cylindrical conduit membersis supplied to the hopper 70, `as shown in FIGURES 2, 4, 6, 8, and 13.The material 250 may comprise concrete or the like or any other suitablematerial in a semi-luid state and which solidifles under certainconditions of time or temperature or pressure. FIG- URES l and 2 showthe position of the members of the apparatus at the beginning of a cycleof producing a conduit member. Each plunger or packet 76 is positionedwithin the recess 36 as the packer 76 is in its lowermost position. Themotor 62 is operating and rotates the drive sprocket wheel 60. Thus, theendless conveyor chain 56 and the cross members 58 are moving in thedirection illustrated by arrows 252 in FIGURE 2. Thus, the cross members58 move the material 250 from the bottom of the hopper `and along theshelf 66. The material 250 falls from the shelf 66 and between the crossmembers 58. The material 250 falls upon the feeder floor 52 and is movedby the cross members 58 of the chains 56 toward the filler tubes 44. Thematerial 250 falls from the feeder floor 52 into the filler tubes 44.

While the material 250 is being introduced into the mold cavity members38a, the shafts 72 are being rotated by the motor 98. The shafts 72 arerotated in the direction illustrated by arrows 254 in FIGURES 1 and 2.The rotating screw blade 74 carried by each shaft 72 urges the material250 from its respective filler tube 44 into the mold cavity member 38which is directly therebelow. Thus, the screw blades 74 force thematerial 250 into the mold cavity members 3S. After the material 250begins to fall into the mold cavity members 38, the fluid motors 108 areenergized by fluid flowing thereinto through the fluid conductors 109.Therefore, the actuator rods 106 are moved slowly upwardly. Thus, thebraces and 82 are lifted slowly. Thus, the shafts 72 are lifted slowly,moving the packers 76 from the bottom of the mold cavity members 38a tothe top thereof, as illustrated in FIGURE 4. Therefore, the material 250within the mold cavity members 38 is forced toward the sides of the moldcavity members 38 by the plungers 76 and by the ears 78 thereof. Thus,the material 250 within each mold cavity member 38a is formed into ahollow cylindrical conduit member 260, as shown in FIGURE 4.

The motor 62 is operated during a period of time which is necessary totransfer suflicient material 250 from the hopper 70 to the filler tubes44 for the formation of a cylindrical member 260 within each mold cavitymember 38. However, in order to assure that a sufficient amount ofmaterial 250 is available to form a cylindrical member 260 within eachmold cavity member 38, an excess of the material 250 is fed into thefiller tubes 44, as illustrated in FIGURE 4. Thus, after a tubularmember 260 is formed within each mold cavity member 38 a quantity ofmaterial 250 remains within each of the ller tubes 44. This excessmaterial 250 appears in the form of a tubular body of material 250,encompassing the packer 76 within each filler tube 44, as shown inFIGURE 4. The amount of the excess material remaining in the iillertubes 44 after formation of tubular members 260 within the mold cavitymembers 38 varies. The amount of excess material 250 remaining in thefiller tubes 44 varies with certain conditions in the material 256l andwith other conditions of operation of the apparatus. When the material250 within the filler tubes 44 reaches a certain height, movement of thecross members 58 in a direction toward the hopper 70 carries therewith aportion of the excess material 256.

Thus, the material feed apparatus shown in FIGURES 2, 4, 6, `8, and 13always transfers suicient material 250 to the liller tubes 44 to formcylindrical members 268 within the mold cavity members 38. At the sametime if the material 250 in the feeder tubes 44 is in excess of a givenamount, the feed material apparatus automatically removes a portion ofthe excess material. Thus, there is no -accumulation of excess material258 within the filler tubes 44 as one cycle of molding operation followsa previous cycle of molding operation.

After the motor 62 ceases to feed material 250y to the liller tubes 44,the shafts 72 continue to rotate. Thus, if the amount of material 250within each iiller tube 44 extends substantially above the packermembers 76, the ears 78 yat the upper portion of each packer 76 throwmaterial 250 from the upper portion of the filler tube 44 toward theshelf 66, as shown in FIGURE 4. The material 258 thrown by the ears 78rests between the cross members 58 which are adjacent the shelf 66.Thus, when the motor 62 is again operated, the excess material 250disposed between the cross members 58 is carried away from the fillertubes 44 toward the hopper 70.

The fluid motors 108 continue to slowly move the actuator rods 106upwardly. Thus, the brace 88 continues to move upwardly, as shown inFIGURE 3. As shown and discussed above, the brace 80 encompasses each ofthe rods 110. When the brace 80 reaches the nuts 116 of the rods 110,the rods 110 are lifted. The bracket 120 is carried by the rods 110through the cross member 112. Thus, the bracket 120 is lifted as therods 110 move upwardly. Therefore, the iiller tubes 44, which areattached to the bracket 120, are lifted upwardly, as shown in FIGURE 5,out of engagement with the mold cavity members 38.

The fluid motors 108 continue to move the actuator rods 106 and the rods110 upwardly. Due to the fact that the connector bracket 121 is attachedto one of the rods 110, the bracket 121 is also lifted. Thus, the wheels123, carried thereby, are lifted. The wheels 123 thus engage the ring143 which is attached to the carriage post 124. Thus, the carriage post124 is lifted, causing the bracket arms 127 to be lifted. Thus, the moldcavity members 38 are lifted. One of the bracket arms 127, as shown inFIGURES l, 3, and 5, is in abutting engagement with an abutment member264-. The rotative position of the carriage post 124 and the bracketarms 127 and the mold cavity members 38 is thus maintained. However,when the arms 127 are lifted, as shown in FIGURE 7, the bracket arm 127moves from engagement with the abutment member 264.

As stated above, a motor 119* or the like, shown in FIGURE 28, connectedto the chain 137 continuously urges rotation of the carriage post 124.Thus, when the arms 127 are moved upwardly, by upward movement of thecarriage post 124, as shown in FIGURE 7, removing the abutment member264 from engagement by the arms 127, the torque motor 119 causesrotative movement of the carriage post 124, as illustrated in FIGURE 9.Thus, the mold cavity members 38a with the molded cylindrical members260 therewithin are moved from the position thereof adjacent the fillertubes 44 toward the table formed by the channel members 154.

FIGURES l, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 14 show a plurality of the cylindricalmembers 260 which have been made in the manner discussed above and whichhave been deposited upon a pallet 161 which is carried by the couveyorchains 160.

FIGURE 14 shows seven rows of cylindrical members 260 which have beendeposited upon a pallet 1161 during seven successive Operations of theapparatus.

FIGURE 14 also shows the position of the mold cavity members 38h andother elements of the apparatus when the apparatus is operating in themanner illustrated and discussed with respect to FIGURES 1 and 2.

FIGURE 15 illustrates the position of the elements shown duringoperation of the apparatus as illustrated in FIGURE 3. FIGURE 16illustrates the position of the elements shown during operation of theapparatus as illustrated in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 17 illustrates in solid lines the position of the elements shownduring operation of the apparatus in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 and the broken lines of FIGURE 17 illustrate rotative movementof the carriage post 124 with the bracket arms 127 carried thereby.During rotative movement of the carriage post 124, as illustrated inFIGURES 9 and 17, the motor 164 is operated so that the conveyor chainsare operated. Thus, the chains 160 move the pallet 161 to the right, asillustrated by an arrow 270' in FIGURES 18 and 19 during rotativemovement of the carriage post 124. Also, during rotative movement of thecarriage post 124, the duid motor 188 is operated so that the actuatorrod 190 is forced toward the right, as shown in FIGURE 20. Thus, thelower portion of the chains 184 to which the connector bar 186 isattached is moved toward the right. Such movement of the chains 184causes rotative movement of the sprocket wheels 178 and 182 and theshafts 172 and 174 attached thereto. Therefore, the chains 184 lift uponthe rigid strips 146 and the lift frames 187 thereof. Thus, the channelmembers 154 are lifted as illustrated by an arrow 272 in FIGURES 9 and20. Thus, the post 131, the cross member 129 and the guide rod 128 arelifted, as shown in FIGURE 9, is movement of the guide rod 128 is guidedby the lug Even though the lift frames 187 are at greatly spacedapartpositions, the chains 184 operate to lift the lift frames 187 preciselysimultaneously. Thus, the channels 154 remain horizontal as they arelifted. Therefore, the pallet 161 is lifted horizontally as the pallet161 is moved forwardly. Thus, after the carriage post 124 has rotativelymoved through degrees, the mold cavity members 38a are positioneddirectly behind the seventh row of the cylindrical members 260 whichhave been deposited upon the pallet 161, as shown in FIGURE 20. A stopmember 273 is operated by a motor 275 to a position as shown in FIGURE 9so that the stop member 273 is engaged by one of the mold cavity members38b. Thus, the carriage post 124 and the arms 127 are maintained inpositions so that the mold cavity members 38a are directly behind theseventh row of the cylindrical members 260 which 4have been depositedupon the pallet 161.

As the channel members 154 and the pallet 161 reach their upper positionof operation, the uid motors 108 become de-energized or operate in thereverse manner so that the actuator rods 106 and the guide members 100and the rods 110 move downwardly, as illustrated in FIGURE l2.

D ue to the fact that the carriage post 124 and the carnage arms 127 arecarried by the rods 110, the mold cavity members 38 are lowered. Thus,the mold cavity members 38a are lowered toward the pallet 161 as thepallet 161 is at its upper position of operation as shown in FIGURE 20'.

Furthermore, due to the fact that the ejector members 136 are carried bythe stems 134 which are supported by the support members 125, theejector members 136 are lowered as the pallet 161 is at its upperposition of operation, as shown in FIGURE 20. As the ejector members 136move downwardly, they move into the mold cavity members 38a as the moldcavity members 38a are positioned slightly above the pallet 161 anddirectly behind the seventh row of the cylindrical members 260 whichhave been disposed upon the pallet 161. Thus, the ejector members 136engage the cylindrical members 260 which are within the mold cavitymembers 38a and force the cylindrical members 260 therefrom. Due to thefact that the mold cavity members 38a have been moved downwardly and dueto the fact that the pallet 161 has been moved upwardly the cylindricalmembers 260 pass directly from the mold cavity members 38a to the pallet161. Thus, there is only slight travel of the cylindrical members 260from the mold cavity members 38a to the pallet 161. Thus, there is noappreciable drop of the cylindrical members 260l from the mold cavitymembers 38a to the pallet 161. Thus, at this moment, as illustrated inFIGURE 20, the cylindrical members 260 are resting upon the pallet 161but the cylindrical members 260 are substantially enclosed by the moldcavity members 38a.

At this time the liuid motor 188 is de-actuated. The carrier sleeve 126,moving downwardly, engages the eX- tension lug 155, as shown in FIGUREl2. Thus, the carrier sleeve 126 and the weight or force of theapparatus attached thereto urges movement of the channel members 154downwardly. Therefore, at this time, the channels 154 and the sleeve 126move downwardly precisely together. Thus, the ejector members 136 andthe pallet 161 are lowered precisely together. As this occurs, theejector members 136 are forcing the cylindrical members 260 from themold cavity members 38a to the pallet 161, as illustrated in FIGURE 20.Thus, the space between the ejector members 136 and the pallet 161remains precisely constant during ejection of the cylindrical members260 from the mold cavity members 38a. Thus, the pressure applied to thecylindrical members 260 by the ejector members 136 does not becomeexcessive and there is no crushing force applied to the freshly formedcylindrical members 260. When the ejectors 136 reach the bottom of themold cavity members 38, the cylindrical members 260 therein have beencompletely ejected therefrom to the pallet 161 and a new or eighth rowof cylindrical members 260 becomes positioned upon the pallet 161.

As shown and discussed, the ejector members 136 and the packer members76 are joined together through the members 132, 126, 125, and 80.Therefore, as the ejector members 136 move downwardly, the packermembers 76 also move downwardly, as illustrated in FIGURE 13. As thelower portion of the packers 76 enter the openings 36, the screw blades74 which are attached to the same shaft 72 as the packer 76 engage theexcess material within the respective liller tubes 44. Due to the factthat the shafts 72 are rotating, as illustrated, the screw blades 74force the excess material 250 from liller tubes 44 into the mold cavitymembers 38h, as shown in FIGURE 13. At this time, the motor 62 is againenergized and material 250 is fed from the hopper 70, as illustrated inFIGURE 13.

When the ejectors 136 reach their lowermost position, the packer members76 are at their lowermost position as shown in FIGURE 2. Thus, as themotor 62 again operates the conveyor chain 56 and moves the material 250from the hopper 70 to the filler tubes 44, a new cycle of production ofcylindrical members 260 is in operation and is carried out in the mannerdiscussed above.

As shown in FIGURE 21, eight rows of cylindrical members 260 completelylill the pallet 161. Means, not shown, are provided for automaticallyoperating the motor 164 for operation of the chains 160 for movement ofthe loaded pallet 161 from the channels 154 to any suitable receivermeans, shown in FIGURE 2l as being a conveyor member 280.

As shown in FIGURES 14 and 2l, the pallet dispenser 194 carries aplurality of pallets 161, as the pallets 161 are stacked one upon theother with the feet 163 of each pallet 161 resting upon the surface ofeach pallet 161 directly therebelow. The lowermost pallet 161 in thestack thereof, which is carried by the pallet dispenser 194, is normallysupported by the lingers 216 of the arms 214 and by the lingers 231 ofthe arms 230, as shown in FIGURES 14 and 22. The lowermost pallet 161rests directly upon the lingers 216 and 231 while the lingers 216 and231 are positioned between the feet 163 of the pallet 161. The lingers238 and 224 of the links 236 and 222, respectively, are normally spacedslightly from the pallets 161, as shown in FIGURES 14 and 22.

As the loaded pallet 161 moves from the channels 154 to the conveyor280, a succeeding pallet 161 is dispensed from the carrier dispenser orpallet dispenser 194. The liuid motor 202 is energized so that theactuator rod 203 is moved downwardly. Thus, the levers 242 and 244,which are attached to the actuator rod 203, are rotatively moveddownwardly and thus rotatively move the shafts 212 and 228, asillustrated in FIGURE 21. Thus, the arms 214 and 230 and the lingers 216and 231, respectively, thereof, are moved outwardly from the positionsthereof shown in FIGURE 14 to the positions thereof shown in FIGURES 2land 23. When such outward movement of the lingers 216 and 231 occurs,the lingers 216 and 231 are removed from engagement with the lowermostpallet 161, and the lowermost pallet 161 thus falls from the palletdispenser 194 to the conveyor chains 160, as shown in FIGURES 2l and 23.

Due to the fact that the link 222 is attached to the arms 214 throughthe links 220 and 218, the link 222 moves toward the legs 196 as thearms 214 move away from the legs 196. Thus, the lingers 224 which arecarried by the link 222 are moved toward the legs 196. Likewise, due tothe fact that the link 236 is attached to the arms 230 through the links234 and 232, the link 236 moves toward the legs 196 as the arms 230 moveaway from the legs 196. Thus, the lingers 238 which are attached to thelink 236 move toward the legs 196.

When the lingers 224 and 238 and the links 222 and 236 move toward thepallets 161, the lingers 224 and 238 become positioned under the pallet161 which is directly above the lowermost pallet 161 immediately beforethe lingers 216 and 231 are withdrawn from supporting engagement withthe lowermost pallet 161. Thus, when the lowermost pallet 161 falls tothe conveyor chains 160, the pallet 161 which is supported by thelingers 224 and 238 becomes the lowermost pallet 161, as shown in FIG-URES 21 and 23.

Then the liuid motor 202 is again operated to move the actuator rod 203upwardly. Thus, the arms 214 and 230 are moved toward the pallets 161 sothat the lingers 216 and 231, respectively, thereof become positionedbelow the lowermost pallet 161, as shown in FIGURE 24. As the lingers216 and 231 become positioned below the lowermost pallet 161, thelingers 224 and 238 are withdrawn therefrom. Thus, the lowermost pallet161 drops from the lingers 224 and 238 to the fingers 216 and 231, asillustrated in FIGURE 24. Of course, when the lowermost pallet 161 dropswithin the pallet dispenser 194, al1 the pallets 161 in the stackthereof above the lowermost pallet 161 and which are supported therebydrop within the pallet dispenser 194. Of course, additional pallets 161may be added to the stack at the top thereof in any suitable manner andas desired.

As the pallet 161 which is loaded with cylindrical members 260 movesfrom the conveyor chains 160, as illustrated in FIGURE 21, the pallet161 which has just been dispensed from the pallet dispenser 194 moves toa position adjacent the ejector members 136 for receipt of formedmembers 260.

Due to the fact that the carrier dispenser member or pallet member 194is supported by the channel members 154, the carrier dispenser member194 is raised and lowered with the channel members 154. Thus, thelowermost pallet member 161 always drops the same distance from thepallet dispenser apparatus 194 to the conveyor chains 160 regardless ofthe elevation of the conveyor chain members 160. Thus, the palletdispenser apparatus can be operated at any desired moment regardless ofthe positions of operation of the elements of the conveyor apparatus orcylinder forming apparatus.

It is to be understood that any suitable control mechanism may beemployed for controlling operation of the apparatus of this invention inthe manner discussed above.

The invention having thus been described, the following is claimed:

1. Apparatus for high speed seriatim production of bodies of moldedmaterial comprising:

rotatable support structure,

a purality of mold cavity members carried by the rotatable supportstructure and spaced from the axis of rotation of the support structure,each mold cavity member being adapted to support mold material duringformation thereof into a body of molded material,

there being a first station position and a second station position forthe mold cavity members,

the support structure being rotatably movable to position a mold cavitymember at either of said station positions, there being a mold cavitymember at the first station position when there is a mold cavity memberat the second station position and vice versa, means at the firststation position for discharging mold material into a mold cavitymember,

packer means at the first station position for molding material within amod cavity member into a body of molded material,

ejector means at the second station position for urging a body of moldedmaterial from a mold cavity member,

the packer means and the ejector means being openable during movementthereof,

the packer means at the -iirst station position yand the ejector meansat the second station position being joined in fixed spaced relationshipone to the other for movement one with the other.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 which includes movable receiver meansdisposed at the second station position to receive a body of moldedmaterial ejected from the mold cavity member by the ejector means, thereceiver means being movable upwardly and downwardly,

motor means for moving the receiver means upwardly,

support means attached to the packer means and to the ejector means formovement thereof,

means connecting the support means to the receiver means for downwardmovement of the receiver means with movement of the support means duringa portion of the downward movement of the receiver means and the supportmeans.

3. Apparatus for high speed seriatim production of bodies of moldedmaterial comprising:

rotatable support structure, the rotatable support structure having aplurality of radial arms,

a plurality of mold cavity members, there being a mold cavity membercarried by each of the radial arms and adapted to carry mold materialtherein,

means at a iirst position for discharging mold material into a moldcavity member,

packer means at the iirst position for molding material within a moldcavity member into a body of molded material,

ejector means at a second position for urging a body of molded materialfrom a mold cavity member,

there being a mold cavity member at the first position when there is anold cavity member at the Second position and vice versa,

the support structure being rotatable to move each arm to the firstposition for reception of mold material by a mold cavity member disposedat the rst position, the support structure being rotatable to move eacharm to a second position for discharge of a body of molded material fromwithin a mold cavity member disposed at the second position as theejector means urges movement of the body of molded material from acavity member,

receiver means at the second position for receiving a body of moldedmaterial from a mold cavity member, the receiver means being movableupwardly and downwardly,

the packer means and the ejector means and the receiver means beingmovable upwardly and downwardly during operation thereof, means operablyjoining the packer means and the ejector means one to the oiher forsimultaneous movement upwardly and downwardly, means operably joiningthe receiver means to the packer means and to the ejector means fordownward movement of the receiver means during a portion of the downwardmovement of the ejector means and the packer means.

4, Apparatus for high speed seriatim production of bodies of moldedmaterial comprising:

iirst movable support structure,

rotatable support structure carried by the rst movable supportstructure, the rotatable support structure having a pluraity of radiallyextending arms.

a plurality of mold cavity members, there being at least one mold cavitymember carried by each of the radially extending arms, each mold cavitymember being adapted to support mold material,

the rotatable support structure being rotatable to p0- sition each armat a rst position, the rotatable support structure being rotatable toposition each arm at a second position, there being an arm at the secondposition when there is an arm at the iirst p0- sition and vice versa,

mold material fill means at the first position for providing moldmaterial to a mold cavity member disposed at the first position,

second movable support structure,

forming means carried by the second movable support structure at the rstposition for forming material into a body of molded material as the moldcavity member is disposed at the first position,

third movable support structure,

receiver means at the second position for receipt of a body of moldedmaterial from a mold cavity member disposed at the second position, thereceiver means being carried by the third movable support structure,

ejector means at the second position for ejecting a body of moldedmaterial from a mold cavity member disposed at the second position asthe body of molded material is engaged by the ejector means and movedfrom the mold cavity member to the receiver means, the ejector meansbeing carried by the second movable support structure,

means joining the rst movable support structure to the second movablesupport structure for movement one with the other throughout a portionof the travel of the second movable support structure,

the third movable support structure and the second movable supportstructure being relatively movable throughout a portion of the travelthereof,

means joining the second movable support structure to the third movablesupport structure for movement one with the other throughout a portionof the travel of the second movable support structure, the ejector meansthus being movable with movement of the forming means, the receivermeans thus being movable to a position adjacent a mold cavity member atthe second position, the receiver means thus being movable with movementof the ejector means as the ejector means ejects a body of modedmaterial from a mold cavity member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 14 Knapp et al. Goff, Smith.Ellis et al. 25-41.4 Zmania et al 25-41-4 Cianton et al. 25-41.4 Benjeyet al. 25-41.4 Wellnitz.

U.S. C1. X.R.

